Notes and Disclaimers: The following is an
original work by me, freely using the creative genius of Tachiwaka Megumi, to whom I am
indebted. The characters of Saint Tail, Asuka Jr., et al are owned by Kodansha and
TMS.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this fic half as much as I do, and you'll be inspired to let
me know. May we all find a love like Asuka Jr. and Meimi.

Its been 9 days, 13 hours and I dont know how many minutes since I told
her Im in love with her.

Asuka Jr. stole a glance at the young woman who was walking beside him. Her hand was
clutched in his own, which felt hot and thick in the cool night air. Neither one spoke as
they slowly strolled toward her home.

Im nervous.

It was perhaps the thousandth time he had had that thought this evening.

Im really nervous.

With a mental grin he returned his eyes to the path before them.

He had offered to take Haneoka to the library as they left the school grounds and she
had presented him one of those dazzling smiles by way of acceptance. He always seemed to
lose his composure when she smiled at him like that. Then, while seated at the library,
her proximity had made concentration harder than he would have expected. So many things
were changing in his life, and the cause of these changes was willing holding his hand.
For a fleeting second this thought made him light-headed.

Its been 9 days

Nine days since she, blushing, unable to meet his eyes from behind her fringe of
red hair, and asked him to call her Meimi. Nine days of walking her home, to school, and
anywhere else he could think of accompanying her. Nine days of knowing who Saint Tail was,
and loving every second of it.

"Youre very quiet."

The sound of her voice startled Asuka Jr. out of his revere. He made a non-committal
sound, not trusting his voice.

Meimi came to a stop, letting his hand slip away. The young detective turned,
surprised, and found the petite redhead moving toward a bench. A streetlight nodded over
the bench to one side, creating a pool of golden light surrounded by deep shadow. It was
into the shadow that Meimi moved.

Asuka Jr. swallowed hard.

I can do this.

She waited for him to join her, and he sank onto the grass beside the bench, happy
for the inky darkness. The gentle rise of the park put them at eye level and when the
young detective was settled, the former thief spoke again with soft and measured tones.

"If you dont tell me whats on your mind, I cant know,"
Meimi's voice betrayed the smile on her lips. "Its not a kind of magic I
practice."

Meimi smiled back and said nothing for a long, uncomfortable, minute.
"Actually," she concluded, "I think I can." There was a degree of
mirth in her tone that made the color rise to his face as he looked away in embarrassment.
He hadnt thought he was being so...obvious!

"Is there something youd like to ask me, Asuka Jr.?"

Meimis head was cocked to one side as she regarded him. He was still unable to
meet her eyes so she continued. "Chances are," her voice a mere sigh,
"Ill say yes."

His head jerked up as he turned to face her. Asuka Jr. wasnt quite sure if he
should believe her or not, but the smile in her eyes allayed his fears. He rose to his
knees and faced her. Willing his hands to stillness, he tenderly touched her cheek. Meimi
smiled and her eyes closed as she gently pressed against his palm. Asuka Jr. placed his
other hand on her face and lightly lifted. She didnt resist.

His entire body was suddenly numb. A steel band was crushing his heart and his lungs
were having a very hard time remembering to actually work as he looked down at his lover.

Its now or never.

Swallowing yet again, Asuka Jr. locked his eyes on her lips and slowly bent his
head to bestow the promised kiss.

He didnt hurry. As he moved closer, the warmth of her skin caressed his face and,
closing his eyes, Asuka Jr., drew in a deep breath, drinking her in. Carefully, gently, he
pressed his lips to hers. For the briefest second he melted into her mouth, and then she
responded, kissing him back.

After a long minute, Asuka Jr. reluctantly drew away. He was eager to gauge her
reaction but found he had lost the ability to speak. Mutely, he gazed down at the closed
eyes of his obsession. A smile slowly blossomed on her face and finally Meimi opened her
eyes. They sparkled like diamonds in the lamplight.

Asuka Jr. sighed from deep in his soul and shook his head.

"You should have sent me a challenge," he whispered just before pressing his
lips to hers again.

Meimi made a soft inquisitive noise.

He pulled back from her, but only far enough to allow for speech...only long enough for
one sentence. "'Tonight I will have the courteousy of stealing the heart of Asuka
Jr....Saint Tail.'"